The bus stop

In southern California, everything is spread out so much that most people depend on cars to get around. But for those, such as my daughter, who can't or choose not to drive, the Metro buses provide an alternative.

This is the 115 bus, which runs east and west on Firestone Blvd. through the center of Downey. It starts at the Norwalk Green Line Station just to the east of Downey and continues west all the way to the beach in Playa Del Rey.

For my daughter, it simply means a convenient way to shop at Target or Stonewood Shopping Center.

“Never run after a bus or a man. There will always be another one.”

Wait, what was I doing again?

I have started writing this paragraph so many times it feels like my little finger is permanently connected to the "backspace" button. I'm actually not sure what to write about this girl since I didn't really have time (read: couldn't think of a way) to talk to her. She was sitting at the bus stop as I made my way around the old part of Downey. My main focus was supposed to be about her but I just couldn't do it.

Sometimes it feels so weird.

I did however to talk to the bus driver as she got into her bus but didn't stop to take her picture and didn't think of even asking her name. I was looking at the transit building as she passed by and she asked if I liked it. I said it was great but a little out of place. She said she had hoped the new transit station would look like the old building but the mural on the side would have to do. I wish I knew more about the old one. It would have looked great with the old warehouses as a backdrop and the brick walls of the Firestone buildings in front of it.

I thought it was raining

This morning it was pouring down rain and I didn't want to do anything but curl up in a blanket with some coffee. But a few hours later, the sun jumped out and called to me. I went to take pictures of anything I could and wound up behind the bus station. It was incredibly beautiful.

It beats fighting traffic

Since we started this blog, I've become aware of all kinds of communities out there in the blogosphere. Of course, there are our fellow "city" bloggers. (Some of our favorites are listed in the sidebar to the right and bottom.) And there is the 100 Strangers community, who make a point of reaching out of their comfort zone by asking permission to photograph strangers. I've been inspired to start my own list of 100, by some of the city bloggers who also photograph strangers (Paris and Tucson, to name a couple). I started a couple of weeks ago, with Fabiana. Today, meet numbers 2, 3, and 4.

I met these people this afternoon while I was "commuter watching." The cars go by quickly, so what mostly caught my eye (and my camera) were the people taking advantage of slower means of transportation. Melvin Tyler, above, was riding his bike. The two guys to the right, who declined to give their names, were waiting for the bus to take them home to Los Angeles.

I think all three of them thought I was a little nuts.